PBL Simplified for Administrators by Magnify Learning

  How do you do Project Based Learning in High School English? Can you still be creative and get an authentic unit while addressing standards? In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, we have Kendra McPheeters, a High School English teacher from Lowell, Indiana. Kendra shares her why for education and walks us through her Project Based Learning Unit. She has done this PBL Unit several t...

  In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, we have Vamsi from Make More Leaders. Vamsi is a leadership coach and offers many insights and leadership tips you can apply in your school. His why is about helping leaders realize the greatness inside of them.  Vamsi brings in a lot of metaphors to help illustrate what great leaders do. He also talks about how to avoid burning out in you...

  Can you really do Project Based Learning in First Grade? How do you keep things authentic while still hitting your standards?   In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, we have Cassandra Metcalf. Cassandra is a first grade Project Based Learning teacher and shares her PBL Unit. She talks about how she was able to tie in standards while still doing  great Project Based Learni...

  In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, we have Andrew Larson from CSA New Tech in Columbus, Indiana here to give us the rundown on his Project Based Learning unit. Andrew is a veteran PBLer and PBL Certified Facilitator for Magnify Learning during the summer. Andrew's unit is called Tree Shepherds, yep you heard that right. Tune in to this episode to find out more.   Ryan and A...

  How do you handle the ‘Loneliness of Leadership’? How do you still thrive as a leader, even when you don’t have much support or trust from your team? In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, we have Andre Thomas from True Vine Consulting. Andre coaches and consults principals and education leaders from around the country. Andre talks about how important coaching is and why it is imper...

  How do you address your staff when they or someone they love has an unexpected diagnosis? How do you handle crisis situations with your staff? You are the leader, so your staff looks to you for guidance on what to do and say.    Kim Hamer is our PBL Leadership Guest in this episode, and she is an expert working with school leaders to help them lead through trauma and crisis well....

  This is the final episode in our four part leadership series on How Do You Get People to Ooch Into PBL? If you’re a leader who wants to move into Project Based Learning  but you are not sure where to start, then this is the series for you. Today, Ryan is talking about giving your learners Voice and Choice. You can implement Voice and Choice to help your school ooch towards Project Base...

  Today on the PBL Simplified Podcast, we have Michelle Mesa from Babcock Ranch Neighborhood Schools here to walk us through several of her Project Based Learning units. Michelle currently teaches high school biology and has taught middle school too.   Michelle shares how one of her PBL Units really touched a Learner that wasn’t very active in school before and inspired her to participat...

  This is the third episode in our four part series on moving Project Based Learning into your school. Today, Ryan talks about Real World Problem solving and how that engages learners who are not normally engaged. You can bring in real world problem solving even if you’re not a fully Project Based Learning school or classroom. Often, a Real World Problem is what it takes for your learners to...

  What if you could channel your thoughts to help you build momentum for your vision? Could the thing that is holding you back, be you? Terre Short shows us how to harness the power of your thoughts and words to become the leader your building needs you to be.   Since this is the fifth Wednesday of the month, we have a bonus Project Based Learning Leadership Guest episode. Terre Short is...

  You are in for a real treat in this PBL Showcase episode because we have Brittany Tinkler from Perry Township School with us today. Brittany is a rockstar PBL Teacher and recent recipient of the prestigious Milican Award. Brittany shares her ‘why’ for education and the changes that she has made in her classroom. She talks about receiving the Milican Award and why she is excited for the oppo...

  This is the second part of our four-part series on moving Project Based Learning into your school. Today, Ryan talks about building a Project Based Learning culture in your school to sustain PBL. He has six different topics about culture building around your vision and driving your staff towards your vision.   In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, we have a Need to Know questi...

  How do you handle good succession planning? In this episode, Jennifer Cox and Josh Rhodes talk all about school leadership, including their successful succession plan, school building, management, and much more. They share some true nuggets of advice over their years of working together. Tune in to get all of the wisdom from these two rockstar PBL Leaders. Jennifer and Josh share their ‘why...

  This main episode is the first in a four part series. This first part is about why you should ooch into Project Based Learning. This idea of ooching comes from the Heath Brothers and is when you make a small step to see if it is a good idea to make a bigger one as well as to encourage others to join you. This applies to you if you have some teachers who are unsure if they want to fully jump...

  In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, we have Jeff McManus from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Jeff is the Landscape Leader there, as well as a nationally recognized speaker and leader. Today, Jeff shares some of his leadership ideas such as The Three C’s: Competent, Character, and Chemistry. He also talks about growing leadership from within and succession planning. Jef...

  In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, Ryan answers the Need to Know “What is the research behind Project Based Learning? The research is out there! You can go back to past PBL Simplified episodes E88 and E90 to hear Ryan talk about this research or Ryan can send you the research. Just go to WhatisPBL.com and click on Ask Ryan. In our main episode, Ryan does a deep dive into the boo...

  Are you looking for high quality Project Based Learning examples to share with your staff? If yes, then you have found the right episode! Haley Culp from Neosho, Missouri shares her PBL unit and offers some advice on what went well, and what she learned. In this episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast, Ryan answers the Need to Know “How do I get Project Based Learning to spread organically?”...

  Do you ever wonder how high achievers reach such a high level? Contrary to popular thought, they did not just suddenly rise to the top. It was all of the little things they did every day, compounding over years, that brought them up to where they are today. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson captures this idea perfectly. What is the Slight Edge? In his book, Jeff Olson says “They are not big swe...

  Do you wonder what conversations other Project-Based Learning schools have? If you answered yes then you’re in for a treat because we have a special PBL Working Session with Haley Culp from Neosho, Missouri. In this working session, you get to listen as Ryan works through some of the questions Haley has from her district. Haley has been a PBL teacher in the classroom and is now an Assistant...

  For this PBL Leadership Guest Episode we have Danny Brassell with us today. Danny is a speaker and author of 15 books including Leadership Starts With Motivation and Bringing Joy Back to the Classroom . Danny talks about different leadership ideas you can apply to your work today. You will definitely find several nuggets of advice in this episode. We will be talking about faculty meeting id...

  How do you define the path for your school? Without a path, no one knows where to go, but you will end up somewhere. The next  step you need to take is what Ryan calls "Train to Expert", which is training your teachers to be experts in their chosen field. Ryan gives three key components to professional development. These components fulfill both culture building and the skillsets of you...

  Are you looking for other Visionary Leaders to connect with? Does English and Project Based Learning seem like a hurdle or a highlight? Visionary Leaders who employ PBL can create authentic learning experiences and inspiring classrooms for students of all ages. Project Based Learning also enables school leaders to fulfill their vision for academic growth and a thriving school community.&nbs...

  We’ve already talked about defining the dissonance, that feeling that something is wrong with education. During the last PBL Leadership Episode Ryan talked about defining the ideal, what you want your Learners to know when they leave your school. Now Ryan talks about defining the path. Ryan shares four future facing steps you must take in order to define the path for your people to take. Ry...

  Public speaking is important for every Visionary Leader. You need to be able communicate your ideas  clearly and effectively to your team. Whether it’s at a faculty meeting or one-on-one, great public speaking requires practice. It doesn’t happen overnight. In this PBL Leadership Guest episode we have Brenden from MasterTalk. Brenden is an expert public speaking coach. He shares his kn...

  Last PBL Leadership Episode Ryan talked about defining the dissonance, that feeling that something is wrong with education. Now he talks about defining the ideal, what you want your Learners to know when they leave your school. Ryan tells you how to make your Ideal Graduate. The Ideal Graduate is more than just a fancy logo that goes on your website, it’s a process. The process is very impo...